Science and Engineering in Government – and opportunities for Innovation in the Built Environment Event

Doors open 17.30 Lecture begins 18.00 – no admittance after 18.00

Jeremy Watson is Arup’s Global Research Director, responsible for Arup’s Global Research Strategy and the Research Consulting Business. Until November 2012, Jeremy was also Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG).

An engineer by training and practice, Jeremy has held research and technical management roles in industry and academia including service with the DTI, BIS and EPSRC. His specialties include Strategic Technology Development and Transfer, Innovation Processes and NPD Management.

Jeremy is a Visiting Professor at the Universities of Southampton and Sussex, and an Honorary Professor at UCL. He serves on the Council of the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and was a former Board member of the Technology Strategy Board. He was a founding member of the Institute for Sustainability.

Each year, government invests around £10 billion in scientific R&D to support the activities of Departments, the Research Councils and HEFCE. The breadth of issues is extensive: from facing environmental issues, through improving health and wellbeing to preventing and reducing crime. Knowledge- and resource-sharing are increasingly important factors in delivering policy and outcomes.

A number of innovative approaches are emerging, such as working with local universities to create networks of expert advisers and university research being made freely accessible by citizens.

PROGRAMME

18.00 - 18.15 – Introductions by Professor Philip Nelson, DVC University of Southampton and Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, Head of the Energy & Climate Change Research Group

18.15 - 18.45 – Lecture by Prof. Jeremy Watson followed by Q&A session